advent calendars

this is one of my absolute favorite christmas traditions. its one of the few that really draw you back to the meaning of the season - as a friend recently wrote:

christmas is jesus

thats all there is to it.
its way too easy to get wrapped up in our to-do lists {guilty as charged} that this time of year can quickly turn into a stressful, commercialized season instead of the joyous reflection on our savior's birth that is it intended to be.  and it doesnt matter how many times i tell him, about 50% of the time bennett answers with "santa claus" when i ask him who was born on christmas day/whose birthday we are celebrating at christmas.  {sometimes he even says "bennett!!" - poor child, part of the confusion of having your birthday 4 days after christmas, i guess}.

advent calendars can be both religious and secular in theme  - but no matter the "theme," the purpose is to count down the days during advent in anticipation of the birth of Christ, on christmas day.  i dont remember a christmas growing up that we did not have our advent calendar.  my aunt made it for us, and it was a bit more secular in theme {christmas tree with little dolls and such}

on the days that we didnt have anything in the pocket to put on the tree, we got an advent gift...something really small in nature - like earrings or a pad of paper or something to that effect {yes, we LOVED those days...hehe}.

i really want to start this tradition with our family but, as you would guess, i am finding it hard to bite the bullet and purchase one.  *sigh*  maybe next year ill have time to make one? {yeah right}

here are some i have found that i love...some for the look, some for the meaning, and many for both:

this one reminds me of a manger, which i imagine was the intention :) :

etsy seller GlimTresors

i have seen many in this style recently, and of course i love the handmade look and feel:

etsy seller CaraMagic

this one by martha stewart is as simple as pinning baby socks to a line:

martha stewart

i adore the simplicity and meaning behind paula's family advent tree:

paula of twoellie via mrsfrench

this one simply consists of decorated toilet paper rolls:

via maya*made

this looks more along the lines of something i would/could do myself:

via linaloo

very similar to the one we had growing up:

via inchmark

definitely think this one is the best of both worlds: handmade look, correct meaning, fun activity {for kids}:

$19.95 at st jude shop, inc

and now to honor my love of wooden "toys":

$59.95 at vermont christmas company

if only i had the time/abilities/desire to KNIT this much:

which is why you can purchase it at garnethill

this definitely has inspired me to get crackin on our very own so that when advent rolls around next year, we will be READY! {and maybe it will help reinforce the fact that christmas is JESUS, not santa claus...maybe}